Earth and Sky

the point that Grant moaned in exasperation, before teasingly pulling away and leaving Grant to his own devices.

    “You’re a devil, Cowboy,” Grant called after him before Hunter heard the telltale sounds of water cascading into the toilet bowl.

    An hour later they were on their way to a breakfast place Christy had suggested after Grant had called her. Hunter could tell Grant was nervous.

    “Was she going to bring the kids?” Hunter asked.

    Grant nodded. “It’s just across from their school, so I’m sure we won’t get a lot of time together, but at least I can wave them off. It’s always good to see them.”

    “You spend a lot of time sitting across the street from their house when you come here?”

    “Yeah,” Grant answered, his voice not exactly devoid of emotion. Hoping to offer some silent support, Hunter quickly took Grant’s hand to give it a squeeze before turning into the parking lot.

    Christy was there with the kids, and Hunter and Grant spotted them immediately. Hunter was glad there was a parking space close to where they were waiting and just in front of the place Grant had pointed out as the diner he and Christy had agreed upon.

    As soon as Grant opened his door, the three kids came bounding over.

    Christy quickly followed. “Be careful! Grant’s had an accident. Don’t hurt him.”

    The kids halted as soon as their mother stopped shouting. Hunter walked around the car and saw Grant’s eyes well up at the sad face of the little girl standing in front. With some difficulty, Grant managed to swing his legs out of the car, but he remained seated.

    “Come here, princess,” Grant said quietly, gesturing for her to come closer. She hesitated and looked at her mother. Hunter couldn’t stop looking at Grant.

    “It’s okay,” Christy said.

    Hunter took a step forward and kneeled next to the little girl. “He looks funny right now, but he really wants to see you.”

    She looked up at him with wide eyes and then practically leapt onto Grant’s lap. Hunter could see Grant wince, but she was all over him, hugging him tightly, and the two boys followed, albeit a little less eagerly. Grant looked like a proud dad, though, when he gave the oldest boy a fatherly squeeze and ran his hands through the youngest one’s unruly black hair. Hunter could definitely see the resemblance.

    “Let’s get inside for a quick breakfast because it’s almost time for school, kids,” Christy said, breaking up the family reunion.

    They went inside and found a large booth, Grant and the two boys squeezing into one side and Christy and her daughter joining Hunter in the other. They all ordered pancakes, and Hunter could see how the shy boys quickly warmed up to Grant again and started talking to him about school and about playing Little League. He couldn’t keep his eyes off his lover, seeing how Grant was smiling and enjoying the company of his kids. He was constantly hugging them and running his hand over their hair to the point where Lindy, his little girl, pushed her plate further up the table and crawled underneath it to settle on Grant’s lap.

    Hunter wished he’d brought a camera to take a picture of the family scene, although he didn’t know whether Grant would want to be reminded of how black and blue he looked. He did seem to have forgotten about how sore he was.

    Christy suddenly got up from the table. “I hate to break this up, guys, but it’s time for school.”

    “Aaaw, Mom!” Lewis, the oldest boy, whined.

    “No complaining,” she replied with a stern face. “I told you we could come see Grant but that I wouldn’t let you skip school for it.”

    “When will you be back?” the youngest boy asked quietly.

    Grant pulled him into a hug. “I don’t know, Robby. In a few weeks, maybe?”

    Robby nodded.

    “Why don’t I take them to school?” Hunter suggested. “It’s just a matter of walking them across the road, right? That way you two can discuss the next meeting?”

    Hunter looked at Christy, then at Grant, and saw the grateful look in Grant’s eyes.

    “Sure, if you don’t mind,” Christy answered, a little hesitantly.

    Hunter helped the kids put on their jackets and get their school bags, realizing he felt very much out of place. He’d never done this sort of thing, not even when his baby sister was that age, but he wanted to give Grant some time with Christy, so he tried acting cheerful.

    In any case, how hard could it be? The kids seemed very